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Fighting pain in the U.S. military and veterans

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National Institutes of HealthNational Center for Complementary and Integrative Health

Fighting pain in the U.S. military and veterans

12 research projects totaling $81 million over 6 years will address pain and related conditions using nondrug approaches*

Chronic pain (more than 3 months)26% general public estimates44% U.S. military after combat deployment

Opioid use (in the past month)4% general public estimates15% U.S. military after combat deployment

These rates show an unmet need for managing chronic pain with nondrug approaches among U.S. military personnel and veterans.

* NIH’s NCCIH is leading this initiative. Other NIH cofunders include NIDA, NIAAA, NINDS, NCMRR (part of NICHD), NINR, ORWH, and OBSSR. DoD is funding this initiative through CRMRP and MOMRP. The VA is providing funding through VA ORD.

Jonas WB, Schoomaker EB. Pain and opioids in the military: we must do better. JAMA Internal Medicine. 2014;174(8):1402-1403.